Alligator Records, in collaboration with NPR and public radio stations, will release a free, downloadable 17-song sampler to help bring attention to Public Radio Music Month. Alligator Records Presents Blues & Roots features songs selected from throughout the label’s storied 42-year history. The sampler was personally curated and annotated by Alligator president and founder Bruce Iglauer, and is available through May 11, 2013 at the Alligator Records Facebook page. Alligator is the only label with which Public Radio Music Month is collaborating on a sampler.
Artists include Marcia Ball, James Cotton, JJ Grey & Mofro, Curtis Salgado, Janiva Magness, Joe Louis Walker, Tommy Castro & The Painkillers, Koko Taylor, Roomful Of Blues, Saffire–The Uppity Blues Women, Jesse Dee, Rick Estrin & The Nightcats, Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials, Anders Osborne, The Holmes Brothers, Charlie Musselwhite, and Albert Collins, Robert Cray, and Johnny Copeland (together).
Public Radio Music Month, held during April, is a tribute to the impact of public radio in music. The Public Radio Music Month website states, “The national initiative brings together local public radio stations, artists and music to recognize the work and importance of these cultural institutions.”
According to Iglauer, “Since Alligator Records was founded over 40 years ago public radio has been one of the best friends of blues and roots music. Public radio stations have dedicated themselves to helping their listeners discover important music, whether old or new — music of depth, complexity and intense emotion (including music that’s intensely fun!), whether it’s commercially popular or not.
“We’ve created this free sampler of some of Alligator’s current and classic artists as a salute to public radio and its open-to-discovery listeners. We hope you enjoy the music, make some new discoveries, and remember that, without public radio, a lot of great blues and roots music might never have reached your ears. Happy Public Radio Music Month!”
